Eight problems related to engine cooling system have been reported for the 1996 Ford Thunderbird. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
: the contact stated the intake manifold cracked and caused the vehicle to overheat without prior warning. The vehicle was seen by an independent repair shop. The repair shop personnel suggested the manifold cracked due to the composite plastic used in manufacturing. The manifold was replaced with an after market manifold made of metal material.
I had a 96 t-bird that my daughter now owns. The plastic manifold cracked last spring causing me to be stranded on the highway. My sister towed me to her house where the vehicle sat until I got a new manifold for about $289 online. I installed it myself taking me about 2 days and driving 45 miles each way twice to my sister's house. Old part was discarded.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
TSB 97m91, replaced already 11/14/98, left myself and daughter stranded in middle of desert. Manufacturer refuses to cover costs of loss. No safety defect listed in summary.
Vehicle's intake manifold cracked on 1996 Ford Thunderbird. The vehicle intake manifold failed and was replaced under recall. About one year after the intake manifold was replaced the consumer started smelling antifreeze inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the shop where the consumer was told that drops of antifreeze could be seen by the water pump and that it needed to be replaced. After it was replaced the consumer continued to smell antifreeze. It was later determined that the manifold cracked again and that the antifreeze had soaked the first two cylinders causing them to misfire. The consumer was responsible for replacing this manifold.
Problems with the intake manifold on 1996 Ford Thunderbird. The vehicle's intake manifold cracked. The manifold was replaced, free of charge, with another plastic manifold due to a recall. Approximately a year after the manifold was replaced the consumer started smelling anti-freeze inside the vehicle. It was later determined that manifold cracked again and anti-freeze soaked the first two cylinders which caused them to misfire. The consumer is seeking reimbursement.
Coolant light kept coming on and off. Vehicle taken to dealer several times, but they were unable to fix the problem. Problem still exists. Dealer still has vehicle, repairs are being made, dealer is helping to cover some of cost.
After the recall for the coolant system was performed the defect recurred ( recall # 99b29 ). The coolant system ran warmer than normal, but didn't boil over or out and only leaked when the engine was off.